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NEO USV5

From Accurate Automation Corporation

Navy Expeditionary Overwatch System (NEO)

The Navy Expeditionary Overwatch (NEO) Program is an Office
of Naval Research (ONR) initiative to provide persistent Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and engagement capabilities
for warfighters in the littoral and riverine environments. NEO includes state of the art communication, sensor, and engagement
platforms. The NEO communication network allows sensors
and vehicles to be controlled from a central, safe location, and relays sensor data from all of the vehicles to the control station. The network incorporates an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mounted
communication relay that enables operation over extended ranges and beyond line-of-sight; an Unmanned Surface Vehicle
(USV) equipped with non-lethal weapons that is controlled remotely; and a manned Ground Vehicle equipped with lethal weapons. The weapons, coupled with the sensor and control capabilities, provide warfighters with a level of situational awareness and the ability to remotely engage hostile forces.

Background

In March 2006, the Chief of Naval Research directed the ONR
Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Science
and Technology Department (Code 30) “to explore areas where
ONR could provide support to the Naval Expeditionary Combat
Command (NECC)”. Based on capability gaps articulated by the
Naval Expeditionary Combat Enterprise, ONR developed the NEO
concept as a means to provide sensor and engagement capabilities
to address near-term NECC needs. The current phase, NEO Spiral 1, developed and demonstrated a communication network, three sensor/engagement platforms, and a control station. One platform consisted of a 38' Accurate Automation developed USV. Neo Spiral 1 successfully completed an Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) Limited Military Utility Assessment (LMUA) using trained Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) sailors. NEO is currently planning a Spiral 2 to include enhanced communications, obstacle avoidance, and autonomy, and weaponization of the AAC-supplied USV. The NEO capability is also being expanded/leveraged for Naval Special Warfare and Irregular Warfare needs.